Stowable table system for vehicular seats

ABSTRACT

A table-holding frame means is positioned along side of the vehicle seat to be accommodated and is supported in a manner to be slidably moved fore and aft with respect to the seat; while at least one hinge-connected table member is stowed within the holding frame means and is liftable therefrom in a vertical plane to be subsequently permitted to rotate downwardly through 90* from the hinge connection and provide a horizontal table surface in front of the seat occupant.

United States Patent 3,488,089 1/1970 Brennan 297/154 [72} InventorEugene R.McGregor Huntington Beach, Calif. 802,360

555,531 8/1943 Great Britain...... 806,377 12/1958 GreatBritain................

Primary Examiner-James T. McCall [21 Appl. No.

[22] Filed Feb. 26, 1969 [45] Patented June 8, 1971 [73] AssigneeUniversal Oil Products Company Des Plaines, lll.

Attorneys.lames R. Hoatson, Jr. and Philip T. Liggett R A L U C m E V R0 F m a m E F L g B .m A w T m E L 3 M s TE SS5 M U ABSTRACT: Atable-holding frame means is positioned along 297/155 .side of thevehicle seat to be accommodated and is supported in a manner to beslidably moved fore and aft with respect to the seat; while at least onehinge-connected table member is stowed within the holding frame meansand is liftable therefrom in a vertical plane to be subsequentlypermitted to rotate downwardly through 90from the hinge connection andprovide a horizontal table surface in front of the seat occuant.

0 2 7 6 wm C75 an A In u N I E u" T. mm m mm T mm mm E Tm n u N u 1 m WN UH w 7 3,371,956 3/1968 Jordan etal.

PATENTED JUN 8l97l I 3583760 INVENTOR: ugene H. Mcregor A TTOR/VEYSSTOWABLE TABLE SYSTEM FOR VEHICULAR SEATS This invention relates to astowable table system adapted for use with vehicular seats. Moreparticularly, there is provided a table holding arrangement whichpermits the stowing of one or more table members in a sliding box orframe means which is movably positioned along side of a seat, or betweenseats, such that after the frame means is pulled forward a hingedlyconnected table may be lifted therefrom and rotated downwardly toprovide a horizontal table surface.

Many types of folding or hinged table systems have been provided, orproposed, for use in passenger vehicles. For example, in connection withmost aircraft passenger seats, there is a table provided in the back ofthe seat back which is directly in front of each passenger.Alternatively, for the front row seats, there are tables adapted to beplugged into the arm rests on the vehicle seats. ln still other designs,there have been table members which are connected to fold-over hingemeans, or to support arms which have fold-back designs, such that thetable itself may be stowed into a small space. In any event, most of thepresent forms of hinged and folding tables for passengers have problemsas to satisfying proper positioning as well as stowing problems.

Thus, it may be considered a principal object of the present inventionto provide a stowing and fore-and-aft positioning arrangement for ahinge-connected table member, so as to give good adjustability for thetable and also eliminate connection means to a vehicle seat other thanthe occupants.

It is another object of the invention to provide a system which permitsone or more table members to be lifted vertically out ofa slidelymovable box or holding frame such that a quarter circle downwardrotation will bring each table member into a horizontal table surface.

In a broad aspect, the present invention provides a stowable tablesystem, particularly adapted for use with vehicular seats, thatcomprises, a slidable table holding frame means movably held andpositioned along side of the vehicle seat to be accommodated and guidemeans holding said frame means to permit the latter being moved fore andaft with respect to the seat, a liftable table member hingedly connectedto and movably held with respect to said frame means such that it may beboth vertically lifted from and stowed within the latter, and laterallyextending table support means adapted to hold said table member at adesired height, whereby said table member can be lifted entirely out ofsaid frame means and rotated downwardly through a 90 arc transverse tothe seat and to provide a resulting horizontal table surface over saidsupport means.

Preferably, the slidable table-holding frame means will be of a narrowboxlike construction or, at least, have a front vertical panel sectioncombined therewith so as to enchance the aesthetic looks of the tablestorage section. It is also contemplated that the frame means forstowing the table members may be sized to accommodate one or more tablemembers. For example, the table arrangement may be such that a singletable member will be stowed within the frame or box means along side ofa vehicular seat or, alternatively, there may be at least two tablemembers vertically stowed within the frame means the the latter adaptedto slide between a pair of seats. In still more elaborate systems orarrangements, the slidable stowing box or frame means may house morethan one table member of the same size, or different sized tables, eachof which may be pulled out of the sliding frame to accommodate anadjacent seat.

Generally, a portion of the armrest of the passenger seat may be used asa laterally extending table support member such that after the tablemember itself is lifted vertically out of the storage section it may berotated downwardly through an approximate 90 arc to rest over thelaterally extending table support means. On the other hand, where it isnot convenient to use a portion of an armrest there may be a suitablebrace means that can be lifted or moved into a position to extendlaterally outwardly from the table-holding frame section, or from aportion of the passenger seat, so as to effect a kneebrace type ofsupport under the table member such that as the latter is rotated to ahorizontal position it will be suitably held by the laterally extendingbrace means.

It is to be noted that it is a particular feature of the presentinvention to provide adjustability of the table member in a fore-and-aftposition with respect to the seat as well as with respect to thepassenger which will be occupying the seat. This fore-and-aftpositioning will be determined by the degree or extent to which thetable-holding frame section or stowing box will be pulled outwardly fromits place alongside of the seat. In other words, the further forward thetable-holding frame is pulled, then the further forward will the tablemember be located from the front of the seat occupant. Conversely, bypulling the sliding table-holding frame section for only a shortdistance outwardly will result in the horizontal table member beingclose to the passenger in the seat. The sliding arrangement for thestowing frame of the one or more table members is, of course, ofadvantage in providing for the necessary clearance for a passenger topass between seats. It is not intended to limit the present invention toany one type of slide arrangement for the table holding means; however,suitable rollers, or low-friction guide means may be placed along sideof the seats and below the box or holding frame means such that thelatter may be slidably moved fore and aft with respect to the adjacentseat or seats.

Reference to the accompanying drawing and the following descriptionthereof will serve to illustrate one embodiment of the improved stowingtable system, as well as point out additional advantageous features inconnection therewith.

FIG. 1 of the drawing shows, in an isometric-type view, the arrangementof hinged table members after they have been lifted out of the storagezone within a slidable table-holding frame means.

FIG. 2 shows, in a partial isometric view, the stowed verticalpositioning of the table members in the slidable table-holding framemeans, as well as the indication that the latter may, in turn, be stowedand housed between adjacent vehicular seats.

FIG. 3 shows, in a partial sectional view, the positioning and holdingof the table members within the slidable table-holding frame means, aswell as one form of upper stop means and guide means for the innerportion of the frame means.

Referring now particularly to FIG. 1 of the drawing there are adjacentpassenger seats indicated as A and B. Between the two seats there isprovided an open space permitting the fore-and-aft movement of aslidable table-holding box or frame means 1. This open space is providedby discontinuing the transverse structure, or seat framing, at theseating level X" and transferring it to a lower floor beam level Y, asshown by the broken lines X and Y in the drawing. in accordance with thepresent invention, the frame means 1 is adapted to provide for theholding of one or more table members, such as 2 and 3, and effect theirstowing during such periods as the tables are not required by the seatoccupants. However, in FIG. 1, there is shown that each of the tablemembers 2 and 3 have been pulled vertically upwardly from the in teriorof the holding frame 1 and table member 2 has further been permitted torotate downwardly to reach a horizontal position supported across atable support member 45 which, in this instance, is a portion of thearmrest between the seats A and B. On the other hand, table member 3 isshown in a substantially vertical position not as yet rotated downwardlyto a table position across support member 5 which also comprises part ofthe forward portion armrest between the seats.

The entire sliding table-holding frame 1 is supported within suitableguide means or on rollers which are not shown but are positioned betweenthe framing of seats A and B whereby the frame may be readily pulledfore and aft between seats A and B. Normally, in the stowed position,the entire frame 1 will have the table members 2 and 3 encased thereinwithin a vertical positioning and will have been pushed backwardly to anaft position flush with the two armrest sections 4 and 5, as well asunder an armrest tray or plate section 6 between the seats, in orderthat no part of the frame will project beyond the front edge of theseats and will insure an aisle clearance. Thus, the

front plate or front panel section 7 of frame section I will be insubstantial alignment with the front edges of the seats in the stowedposition and, conversely, the frame I will be pulled forward when it isdesired to use one or more of the table members 2 or 3, as shown inarrangement of FIG. I.

In one design, as best shown in FIG. 2 of the drawing, the forwardarmrest portions 4 and 5 on the seats A and B, may be of the nature ofsturdy horizontal escutcheon plates or support members that havesufficient width to in turn support the respective tables 2 and 3 whenthey are in a horizontal position.

In each of the FIGS. I and 2, the table-holding frame I is indicated tobe of a narrow boxlike construction in order to totally enclose thestowable table members 2 and 3, except along their top edge portions,whereby they may be pulled vertically out of the frame means after thelatter has been pulled forward from the stowed position between theseats. However, as noted hereinbefore, the table-holding frame means 1may be of a generally open support construction except for a front panelsection to provide a decorative aspect. In other words, as thesupporting frame is needed only to provide for the stowage of one ormore table members and the holding of the latter in a hinged endadjacent the frame means. For example, as shown in FIG. I, there arehinged members 8 indicated at the frame-connecting end of the tablemember 2 permitting the latter to be rotated from the vertical to thehorizontal positioning and vice versa and, at the same time, the hingemeans will permit the anchoring of the table member to the slidableholding frame means and preclude its dislodgement from off the top ofthe table support means 4 by the seat occupant. Various types of hingemeans may be provided between the one end of each table member and theslidable holding means and it is not intended to limit the presentinvention to any one type of hinge or holding system.

In FIG. 3 of the drawing, there is shown a simplified arrangement wheretable member 2, through hinge connection means 8, is attached to avertically slidable guide member 9 which in turn is precluded from beinglifted out of the top end of the box or holding frame I by virtue ofstop means 10 bearing against a fixed stop member II on the sidewall offrame I. When it is desired to effect a stowing of the table 2, thelatter is rotated upwardly to a vertical position and then sliddownwardly such that holding member 9 will descend within holding frameI to be guided by rails or guide means I2 to reach the lower portion ofthe entire frame-holding section 1. Also in FIG. 3, it will be notedthat table member 3 is shown in a stored position within the frame meansI, so that when it is desired to bring such member into a tablepositioning, it must be lifted vertically upward in accordance with thedashed lines 3 and then hinged downwardly through a 90 arc, in themanner of the position of table member 2 to rest upon the table supportmember 5.

As set forth hereinbefore, it is not intended to limit the presentsystem to any one design or contour for the table members nor for theslidable holding frame means I, inasmuch as various forms and shapes offraming may well be utilized to store the tables in the verticalposition and permit their being slid in a fore-and-aft direction withrespect to the seat. For convenience, and as best shown in FIGS. I and2, suitable handles 13 may be provided on the forward or top ends ofeach of the tables 2 and 3 in order to effect an easy pulling or liftingof each table from the frame.

Various types of roller means may be provided under and alongside theframe I for effecting its fore-and-aft sliding aspects. FIG. 2 showsbearing plates 15 on each side of frame I to be used for sliding againstroller means (not shown) which may be at a midlevel from each side ofseat frames A and B. Also, guide roller means may be furnished withinthe frame I to accommodate the table members and the holding means suchas 9 shown in FIG. 3.

As an alternative arrangement with respect to supporting the tablemembers 2 and 3 in a horizontal position, there may be one or morehinged support members, such as I4 extending from the table-holdingframe means 1, to use as a means of effecting a diagonal braceunderneath the table members when they are in a horizontal position. Inother words, the one or more brace means M on each side of the frame Ican be rotated upwardly into a knce-brace type of position to connectwith the underside of each of the table members 2 and 3 and effectsupporting means in lieu of means 4 and 5, or together with the latter.In still other instances, there may be suitable folding brace meansextendable laterally and upwardly from the framing or armrest portionsof the seats such as A and B to in turn provide the table supportmechanism in lieu of the support means 4! and 5 which comprise a part ofthe armrest means. Still other mechanical equivalents will be obvious tothose skilled in the seating arts, or in connection with table supportmeans.

While the present table members 2 and 3 have been indicated to be of onecontinuous piece or section, there may be sliding-out extension means orhinged and clampable extension means to such table members whereby theyare extendable in one or more directions in order to make a still largertable surface; however, generally the table member which is to be stowedwithin the holding frame I will be sized to minimize the stowage spacerequirements, but shall provide a minimum working area and, of course,should accommodate food trays for meal service.

I claim as my invention:

1. A stowable table system adapted for use in a vehicular seat, whichcomprises in combination, a fore-and-aft longitudinally slidabletable-holding frame means held and positioned along one side of thevehicle seat to be accommodated, means including guide means holdingsaid frame means to permit movement of the latter fore and aft withrespect to the seat, a vertically movable table member hingedlyconnected to and constructed and arranged to be movably held withrespect to said frame means in such manner that it may be bothvertically lifted from and stowed within the latter, and laterallyextending table support means adapted to hold said table member at adesired height, whereby said frame means may be stowed adjacent saidseat when not in use and moved forwardly when in use to thereby permitsaid table member to be lifted entirely out of said frame means androtated downwardly through a arc transverse to the seat to provide aresulting horizontal table surface over said support means and theforward portion of said vehicular seat.

2. The stowable table system of claim I further characterized in thatsaid laterally extending table support means comprises a portion of anadjacent armrest of the vehicular seat, with such portion beingpositioned at a predetermined convenient height whereby to effect thesupport of the hinged table member at a desired height.

3. The stowable table system of claim I further characterized in thatsaid laterally extending table support means comprises at least onebrace member which may be laterally extended from the table-holdingframe means whereby there may be a lower supporting brace for the tablemember when it is rotated into its horizontal position.

4. A stowable table system adapted for use with vehicular seats, whichcomprises in combination, a slidable table-holding frame means movablyheld and positioned alongside of the vehicle seat to be accommodated andguide means holding said frame means to permit the latter being movedfore and aft with respect to the seat, a plurality of liftable tablemembers within said slidable table-holding frame means and hingedlyconnected to and movably held with respect to said frame means to besupported by the latter and to be accommodated in a stowed manner withinsaid frame means such that said table members may be vertically liftedfrom within the latter, and laterally extending table support meansadapted to hold said table member at a desired height, whereby saidtable member can be lifted entirely out of said frame means and rotateddownwardly through a 90 arc transverse to the seat and provide aresulting horizontal table surface over said support means.

means being such as to permit said table members to rotate transverselyin opposing directions to provide resulting horizontal table surfacesfor each of the adjacent seats, and laterally extending table supportmeans adapted to hold said table member at a desired height, wherebysaid table member can be lifted entirely out of said frame means androtated downwardly through a arc transverse to the seat and provide aresulting horizontal table surface over said support means.

1. A stowable table system adapted for use in a vehicular seat, whichcomprises in combination, a fore-and-aft longitudinally slidabletable-holding frame means held and positioned along one side of thevehicle seat to be accommodated, means including guide means holdingsaid frame means to permit movement of the latter fore and aft withrespect to the seat, a vertically movable table member hingedlyconnected to and constructed and arranged to be movably held withrespect to said frame means in such manner that it may be bothvErtically lifted from and stowed within the latter, and laterallyextending table support means adapted to hold said table member at adesired height, whereby said frame means may be stowed adjacent saidseat when not in use and moved forwardly when in use to thereby permitsaid table member to be lifted entirely out of said frame means androtated downwardly through a 90* arc transverse to the seat to provide aresulting horizontal table surface over said support means and theforward portion of said vehicular seat.
 2. The stowable table system ofclaim 1 further characterized in that said laterally extending tablesupport means comprises a portion of an adjacent armrest of thevehicular seat, with such portion being positioned at a predeterminedconvenient height whereby to effect the support of the hinged tablemember at a desired height.
 3. The stowable table system of claim 1further characterized in that said laterally extending table supportmeans comprises at least one brace member which may be laterallyextended from the table-holding frame means whereby there may be a lowersupporting brace for the table member when it is rotated into itshorizontal position.
 4. A stowable table system adapted for use withvehicular seats, which comprises in combination, a slidabletable-holding frame means movably held and positioned alongside of thevehicle seat to be accommodated and guide means holding said frame meansto permit the latter being moved fore and aft with respect to the seat,a plurality of liftable table members within said slidable table-holdingframe means and hingedly connected to and movably held with respect tosaid frame means to be supported by the latter and to be accommodated ina stowed manner within said frame means such that said table members maybe vertically lifted from within the latter, and laterally extendingtable support means adapted to hold said table member at a desiredheight, whereby said table member can be lifted entirely out of saidframe means and rotated downwardly through a 90* arc transverse to theseat and provide a resulting horizontal table surface over said supportmeans.
 5. A stowable table system adapted for use with vehicular seats,which comprises in combination, a slidable table-holding frame meansmovably held and positioned between adjacent vehicle seats to beaccommodated and guide means holding said frame means to permit thelatter being slidably moved fore and aft with respect to the seats, saidtable members being hingedly connected to and movably held with respectto said frame means such that they may be both vertically lifted fromand stowed within the latter, the hinge connection means between thetable members and said frame means being such as to permit said tablemembers to rotate transversely in opposing directions to provideresulting horizontal table surfaces for each of the adjacent seats, andlaterally extending table support means adapted to hold said tablemember at a desired height, whereby said table member can be liftedentirely out of said frame means and rotated downwardly through a 90*arc transverse to the seat and provide a resulting horizontal tablesurface over said support means.